ICE - once you read this you might think you need it on your sailing boat. So - What is it? Is it a drug? Is it a hunk of frozen water? No, it's Super Sailcloth!

Yes, Doyle Sails has announced the official launch of Stratis ICE, something they claim is unique to their global network of lofts and very suitable for both cruising and racing sails.

Here is what they say:Part of Doyle’s Stratis sail range, ICE is a game-changing product that offers weight savings, performance gains and high durability levels for both performance and cruising sails.

ICE is an entirely new and unique UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelene) fibre, developed by the Doyle Stratis team following market demand for a creep free and highly durable sail membrane.

Exclusively licenced to Doyle for marine use it exhibits similar properties to high modulus carbon, and is a derivative of Spectra. Since its development, ICE has undergone beta testing on more than 100 yachts – including Team Korea (AC45), Secret Men’s Business (Reichel Pugh 51), Sanya (Volvo 70), and Kenora (37m Wally 107) ­­– with outstanding results. Following its launch, ICE is now being put on to yachts including 37m Moonbird (Fitzroy Yachts/Dubois), Wired (Bakewell-White 52) and Team Australia (Orma 60).

'We are really excited to launch a sail fibre that is significantly lighter than other fibre options but with the same durability and performance levels,' said Chris McMaster, Managing Director of Doyle Sails NZ. 'The Doyle team has been working on this product for some time and we are very proud that we have achieved the perfect level of performance with ICE.'

What are the benefits of ICE?

Low Creep:ICE has the highest creep resistance of all UHMWPE sails: half that of a Dyneema SK78 product.

Lightweight:Lightest sail for given strength when blended with carbon. Specific gravity of just 0.97, almost half of carbon fibre’s 1.8. Easy to handle

High Strength:ICE’s initial strength is comparable to higher strength para-aramids. However, real benefits are shown after repeated flex, where ICE hardly loses any strength in comparison to carbon, Kevlar and Twaron which fail.

High Modulus:ICE has a modulus comparable to standard modulus carbon fibre that on a weight-for-weight basis is higher than almost all other UHMWPE and aramid fibres. It will retain that modulus even after extended mechanical fatigue.

Low Crimp:Due to the fibre construction and unique manufacturing process of Stratis, ICE fibre is laid with zero crimp, meaning that the 'apparent modulus' of the fibre is 10 to 15 per cent higher than standard modulus carbon.

Doyle Sails welcomes all inquiries about ICE (http://www.doylesails.com/) and will be first exhibiting with the product at both the Monaco Yacht Show and at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam.